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Biographical entry Priestley, Henry (1884 - 1961)

Born

19 June 1884Bradford, Yorkshire, England

Died

28 February 1961Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Occupation

Biochemist and Physiologist

Summary

Henry Priestley was the foundation Professor of Biochemistry, University of Sydney 1938-48. Earlier he had been bacteriologist at the Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine, Townsville 1913-18 and then had various appointments at the University of Sydney. His main research interests were in physiological chemistry and nutrition.

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Details

In 1886 (circa) Henry Priestley migrated to Sydney, Australia with his parents. After completing his undergraduate education Priestley enrolled at the University of Sydney. First he studied arts (1902), then engineering (1903), science (1904) and finally medicine (1906). He graduated with first class honours in medicine and won the University medal. Priestley was awarded the Beit memorial Fellowship in 1910 and chose to study nutrition at London's Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine. He returned to Australia in 1913 to work as a bacteriologist at the Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine, Queensland. His research covered haematological aspects of hookworm infestation, and studies on many disease including trachoma and typhoid fever.

In 1918 Henry Priestley returned to New South Wales to work at the University of Sydney. His tenures included lecturer and chief physiology demonstrator, associate professor of biochemistry (1921), acting professor of physiology (1928), Head of the newly formed Department of Biochemistry (1939), Dean of the Faculty of Science (1946) and Fellow of the University Senate (1948). His work at the University saw the establishment of a BSc degree in Medicine, and a research training program for medical students. Other outside appointments held by Priestley include foundation fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, member of the Linnean Society, and advisor to many committees of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Events

c. 1886

Life event - Migrated to Australia (Sydney)

1906

Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc) completed at the University of Sydney

1909

Education - Bachelor of Medicine (MB) completed at the University of Sydney

1910

Education - Master of Surgery (ChM) completed at the University of Sydney

1910

Career position - Resident at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney

1911 - 1912

Career position - Clinician (funded by the Beit Memorial Fellowship) at the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine in London